50 Things to Put You in an Instant Good Mood

50 Things to Put You in an Instant Good Mood

Call us cynics, but when Harvard University started a whole course on happiness and bookstores filled up with heavy tomes on the subject, happiness suddenly started to feel like work. But it doesn’t have to be! Research has yielded some shockingly simple instant-happiness tips—and we’ve added gobs of plain old funny stuff to the mix to make you smile. Enjoy!

Your Get-Happy Checklist

Exercise

Why is this our first tip? Because it’s the number-one secret experts give for getting happier, fast. Some studies say it’s just as good as antidepressants! Even a single workout (cardio, strength training, yoga—take your pick) can give you a boost, relieving stress and releasing feel-good endorphins. For motivation, call your gym bag your “happy bag.”

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Eat Breakfast

It will prevent grumpiness and help you perform. No, a single cup of coffee (or tea or soda) does not count.

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Speak Up

“Being assertive enhances self-confidence and shuts down feelings of helplessness,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., the author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. Plus, there’s that little perk of actually getting what you want!

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Do Less

“So many people think, If I do more, then I’ll be happier,” says celebrity life coach Sherri Ziff Lester. “There’s too much doing. We need to do more nothing—just take time to be.”

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Focus on Making Memories

Researchers found that 57 percent of people reported they were happier when they spent money on an experience (like a vacation or a class), while only 34 percent reported being happier after buying stuff.

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Go Outside

Remember that big room? With the blue roof and the fresh air? Sometimes the floor is green? Just five minutes walking in the great outdoors has beneficial effects. Notice we said “walking,” not “walking and texting.”

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Hug It Out

“It’s critical to have some kind of physical affection in your life,” says psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author of The How of Happiness. “It doesn’t have to be a hug. It’s about the power of touch.”

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Face Your Challenges

New concept: Actually doing the things on your to-do list. That work thing, that guy thing—whatever it is, get it over with. Studies show that the more you put things off, the more anxious you’ll feel about them.

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Say Something Nice

Tell that woman on the train how much you love her dress. Look, she’s happy! Now you’re happy! It’s a mini joy explosion caused by her good taste and your nice compliment.

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Be Grateful

Do not. Roll. Your eyes. Write down the things you’re grateful for. Yes, it’s hokey. But it works—by forcing you to focus on the good things in your life.

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Set a Smarter Bedtime

DVR The Daily Show (Jon Stewart is just as brilliant in the morning), and get at least seven hours of sleep. You’ll recharge your body and mind to get you ready for the next happy day.

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Savor Your Snapshots

Those photos of your friends on the refrigerator door and the inspirational quotes taped to your computer? You put those there to make you happy, so you shouldn’t need a scientist to tell you to look at them!

But No Deprivation!

Variety, and Lots of It

Say no to the same salad for lunch every day. Our bodies don’t want us mono-eating!

Photo: Peter Arkel

The Happy Body

Feel fantastic from your head to your happy little toes!

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The Happy Face

“There have been probably a hundred studies that have shown that if you simply put a smile on your face, even when you’re sad, you can actually produce a happy feeling,” says James Laird, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Happy Foot

About 64 percent of Americans wear shoes that hurt, and close to a quarter spend six or more hours a day on their feet. “If your feet are sore, you’re going to be grumpy,” says Keith Wapner, M.D., president of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. He prescribes a good foot rub at the end of the day (research shows it boosts mood all on its own) and stretching out the back of your ankles, which can get overly tight from switching between heels and flats.

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Happy Beauty Tips

A recent survey found 41 percent of women feel happy when they feel pretty—that includes us! We asked beauty experts what works for them.

One Happy Playlist

You know it, and research confirms: Listening to music can improve your mood. You tweeted us your picks.

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“Telephone,” by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé: “It reminds me of good times with the girls!” —@ladyboarder9669

“Chelsea Dagger,” by the Fratellis: “It’s got such a great beat and makes you want to dance!” —@NiemiSaidNo

“Survivor,” by Destiny’s Child: “It’s so empowering.” —@squirt21

“Is This Love,” by Bob Marley: “There isn’t much a Bob Marley song won’t cure.” —@ADeLesDernier

Photo: RD/Erik Kabik/Retna

LOL!

3 Random jokes to brighten your workday.

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Don’t Ask Us Why They’re Weasels, But…

Two weasels are sitting on a bar stool. One starts to insult the other one. He screams, “I slept with your mother!” The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do. The first again yells, “I slept with your mother!” The other weasel says: “Go home, Dad, you’re drunk.”

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The Dirty Joke You Can Tell at a Party Without Feeling Like a Perv

A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a very satisfied smile. The egg is frowning and looking frustrated. The egg says, “Guess we answered that question.”

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Katie Couric Told Us This One Over Lunch.* (No Kidding!)

A married couple in their early sixties were celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary in a romantic restaurant. Suddenly, a fairy godmother appeared. She said, “For being such an exemplary married couple, I will grant you each a wish.” The wife answered, “I want to travel around the world with my darling husband.” The fairy waved her magic wand and poof!—two tickets for the Queen Mary 2 appeared. The husband thought for a moment, and then said, “Well, I’m sorry, sweetheart, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.” The wife and the fairy were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!—the husband became 92 years old. The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful should remember fairy godmothers are female.

*There were 14,000 witnesses—it was at the Women’s Conference, hosted by Maria Shriver in 2009.

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Why Are These Women Smiling?

They live in the happiest cities for young women, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. (The happiest city for guys? Denver.) Steal their secrets!

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“Women in Portland are more about self-confidence and honesty than looking perfect. That’s a super-liberating atmosphere. Personally, I’m happiest when I’m healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally.” —Rachel Fachner, 29, Portland, Ore.

“St. Louis women are into creating our own happiness. No one’s worried about what anyone else thinks, so we feel empowered to be natural and ourselves. My mom says, ‘There is no key to happiness, the door is always open,’ and I fully believe that.” —Kiara Jefferson, 20, St. Louis

“Women here are praised for stepping outside the box—you can dye your hair purple and still have a professional job! I feel fortunate to be in a place where people are encouraging you to try something different instead of telling you why it won’t work.” —Jillian Harrington, 33, Seattle